This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
As I stepped back into Nairobi's central business district after a long absence, I was struck by the frenetic energy that pulsed through the streets. The matatus, the crazy traffic, and the sheer insanity of Kirinyaga and River roads all combined to create a sense of excitement and possibility.
But it was the people that really caught my attention. The crowd in the CBD was younger, more diverse, and more vibrant than the one I was used to in the suburbs. They were a microcosm of the city's future, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe.
One of the things that struck me was the diversity of the crowd. There were people from all walks of life, with different hair styles, clothes, and physical appearances. It was a true cosmopolitan collage, and it was a far cry from the monotonous middle-class look that seemed to dominate the suburbs.
As I walked through the streets, I noticed that the younger ones seemed to be carrying themselves with a sense of confidence and freedom. They were holding hands, staring into each other's eyes, and generally acting like they were about to do something their parents wouldn't approve of.
And then it hit me: the CBD was a microcosm of why the future is in the cities. Nairobi isn't just a city, it's a village for these new cosmopolitan creatures. Their bizarre dress and tattoo styles are their traditional costumes and 'tribal markings', an expression of fast-evolving urban individuality and identities.
It's a process of production of a new culture, and it's impressive. There will be more and more of these fellows, and the city will grow and grow. They will not speak the language of our forefathers, but with the years, some pidgin will mature as their mother tongue.
As I looked out at the crowd, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and wonder. The Nairobi of tomorrow is already here, and it's a city of tribes, of cultures, and of identities. It's a city that is constantly evolving, constantly producing new and exciting things.
And as I stood there, I knew that I was witnessing something truly special. I was seeing the future, and it was bright.
— Charles Onyango-Obbo is publisher of explainer site Roguechiefs.com and curator of The Wall of Great Africans. @cobbo3
